Golf ball recovery device

ABSTRACT

A device for recovering a golf ball from a golf hole, the device comprising a baseplate extending substantially horizontally and configured to rest in the hole, a rod extending substantially vertically from the baseplate, and a handling member arranged on the rod so that it may be lifted by the head of a golfer&#39;s club.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the French patent application No. 2004431 filed on May 5, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of golf More specifically, the invention relates to a device for recovering a golf ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A game of golf consists of putting a ball in play from a teeing ground and hitting it into a hole provided for this purpose in an area called the green with one or more consecutive strokes using clubs. When the golf ball falls into the hole provided on the green, the golfer must retrieve the ball in order to position himself on the next teeing ground. Conventionally, the golfer recovers the ball by inserting his hand into the hole to catch the ball, or by raising a flag inserted into the hole to remove the ball from the hole by means of the disc provided at the end of the flag.

In a complex health context, for example in the event of an epidemic of a contagious disease, these methods are not satisfactory, since they involve contact between the hand and the ball or the flag. However, in a golf club, it is common for several players to follow one another on the same golf course at a considerable rate. Thus, a player carrying the disease could contaminate the hole or the flag, which could lead to infection of the next golfer.

In this context, there is thus a need for a device allowing a golfer to recover a golf ball that has fallen into a golf hole, without it being necessary for the golfer to use his hand. The present invention is placed in this context and aims to meet this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For these purposes, the invention relates to a device for recovering a golf ball intended to be inserted into a golf hole, the device comprising a baseplate extending substantially horizontally and intended to rest in the hole, a rod extending substantially vertically from the baseplate; and a handling member arranged on the rod so that it can be lifted by the head of a golfer's club.

It is thus understood that, when the device is inserted into a golf hole, the baseplate rests in the hole while the rod extends from the baseplate towards the outside of the hole, the handling member then being disposed above the hole. Thus, a ball falling into the hole comes to rest on the baseplate. The golfer can then place the head of one of his clubs, for example a straight iron (also called a “putter”), under the handling member, and thus lift this handling member to raise the baseplate out of the hole and thus remove the golf ball from the hole. All of these operations are carried out without contact between the golfer's hand and the ball or the flag, thus limiting the golfer's risk of infection.

Advantageously, the baseplate has a substantially circular shape. Preferably, the baseplate has a disc shape the diameter of which is between 6.5 cm and 10.8 cm. These dimensions allow in particular for the baseplate to be inserted in a golf hole, the diameter of which is conventionally 10.8 cm, while ensuring that a golf ball, the diameter of which is at least 4.2 cm, remains on the baseplate when it falls into the golf hole.

Advantageously, the rod is a straight rod, extending perpendicularly to the baseplate, for example by being offset relative to the center of the baseplate. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an opening is formed in the baseplate, notably being offset relative to the center of the baseplate, and the rod is inserted into the opening and then welded to the baseplate. As a variant, it is possible to envisage other shapes for the rod than a straight rod.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the handling member comprises a hook extending, notably horizontally, from the rod.

Advantageously, the rod is connected by its lower end to the baseplate, and the upper end of the rod is curved to form the hook. Preferably, the rod has a length of at least 14.5 cm, measured between the junction point of the rod to the baseplate and the highest point of the rod. This dimension ensures that the handling member will extend outside the hole and that a ball can pass between the handling member and the green around the hole, it being understood that a golf hole has a depth of at least 10.1 cm and the diameter of a golf ball is at least 4.2 cm. As a variant, provision may be made to weld a hook, a flat iron, or a rod on the rod between its upper end and its lower end.

Advantageously, the device comprises at least one member for guiding the device on a flag inserted in the hole. Thus, when the golfer comes to lift the handling member to raise the baseplate out of the hole, the device slides on the flag, which thus offers it support, allowing for a simple and easy handling of the device. It is assured moreover that after it is handled, the device will fall correctly back into the hole, preventing the golfer from having to handle it to put it back in place. The next golfer can thus also benefit from this device and the advantages which it provides.

For example, the device may include a ring mounted on the rod, the ring forming a first guide member. If desired, the ring may be welded to the rod. This ring is thus penetrated by the flagpole. If necessary, an opening may be formed in the baseplate, the opening forming a second guide member. The flagpole thus also passes through this opening, the disc serving as a base for the flag being thus located below the baseplate, the baseplate resting advantageously on this disc. Preferably, this opening may be formed in the center of the baseplate, so as to be vertically opposite the ring.

Advantageously, the baseplate has an inclined vertical profile. In other words, the vertical profile of the baseplate is inclined so that an upper surface of the baseplate is vertically inclined in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the rod, that is to say, downwards. Where appropriate, this upper surface may be inclined from the center of the baseplate to the periphery of the baseplate. This inclined vertical profile thus allows a ball resting on the baseplate to roll towards the periphery of the baseplate, and thus to fall onto the green when the baseplate is lifted out of the hole.

For example, the baseplate comprises two contiguous half-discs, extending on either side of the rod, forming an angle between them of strictly less than 180°, notably equal to 170°. According to this example, the upper surface of the baseplate is thus formed by two inclined planes. If desired, the junction line of the half-discs may be parallel to the direction of extension of the handling member. Each half-disc may be truncated. As a variant, the baseplate may be formed by a disc the upper surface of which has a dome shape or a cone shape.

Advantageously, the baseplate, the rod and the handling member, and where appropriate the guide member, are made of galvanized steel. This type of material being resistant to corrosion, it is particularly suitable for the climatic environment of a golf course, as the device requires little or no maintenance.

The invention also relates to a golf green provided with a golf hole, into which is inserted a device for recovering a golf ball according to the invention. Advantageously, a flag is inserted in the golf hole, and the device comprises at least one member to guide the device on this flag inserted in the hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now described using examples, which are only illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows, schematically and partially, a view of a device for recovering a golf ball according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows, schematically and partially, a view of the device of FIG. 1 when installed in a golf hole; and

FIG. 3 shows, schematically and partially, a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 when in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain the same references, unless otherwise specified.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a device 1 for recovering a golf ball according to an embodiment of the invention.

The device 1 comprises a baseplate 2 extending substantially horizontally. The baseplate 2 has a shape of a disc truncated on two of its sides. In the example described, the diameter of the baseplate is 8.8 cm.

The baseplate 2 is formed by two half-discs 21 and 22 joined by their diameters at a junction line 23. These half-discs 21 and 22 form an angle of 170° therebetween, each being inclined downward. It is thus understood that the vertical profile of the baseplate 2 is vertically inclined, the upper surface of the baseplate 2 being defined by two inclined planes, each extending from the junction line 23. In the example described, the baseplate 2 is made from a galvanized steel disc which has been stamped to form the two half-discs 21 and 22.

A first opening 24 is drilled in the baseplate 2, at the center of the baseplate. This first opening 24 forms a guide member for the device 1. A second opening 25 is drilled in the baseplate, on the junction line 23, being offset relative to the center of the baseplate.

The device 1 comprises a straight rod 3, extending perpendicularly from the baseplate 2, i.e. vertically upwards. The lower end of the straight rod 3 is inserted into the second opening 25, and is welded to the baseplate 2. The upper end of the straight rod 3 has been curved to extend horizontally, and parallel to the junction line 23. This upper end thus forms a hook 4, which constitutes a handling member for the device 1. In the example described, the rod 3 has a length of 26.4 cm, measured between the junction point of the rod 3 to the baseplate 2 and the highest point of the rod 3, while the length of the hook is 6 cm.

A ring 5 has been welded to the straight rod 3, slightly below the hook 4, so as to be vertically above the first opening 24. The inner diameter of the ring 5 corresponds substantially to that of the first opening 24. The ring 5 forms another guide member for the device 1. In the example described, the rod 3 and thus the hook 4, as well as the ring 5, are made of galvanized steel.

In connection with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a method of using the device 1 will now be described.

The device 1 is inserted into a golf hole 61, provided on a green 62. A flag (illustrated with dotted lines) 63, provided with a pole 64 mounted on a support disc 65, is also inserted in the hole 61. The pole 64 of the flag 63 has been inserted beforehand in the ring 5 and in the first opening 24, the baseplate 2 thus resting on the support disc 65 of the flag 63 in the hole 61. The device 1 is thus guided on the flag 63 by the ring 5 and the first opening 24, and may therefore slide along the pole 64. The rod 3 extends from the baseplate 2 towards the outside of the hole 61, so that the hook 4 is disposed well above the hole 61, a golf ball 7 being able to roll on the green while passing under this hook 4 to fall into the hole 61. FIG. 2 thus represents this golf ball 7 resting on the baseplate 2.

In order to recover the golf ball 7, as shown in FIG. 3, the golfer takes one of his clubs 8, for example his putter, and slides the head of this club 8 under the hook 4. Using his club, he then raises the hook 4, which raises the baseplate 2 out of the hole. The inclined vertical profile of the baseplate 2 then allows the ball 7 to roll towards the periphery of the baseplate 2, and thus fall back onto the green 62. The ball may then be picked up by the golfer, or pushed to the next teeing ground. When the golfer removes the club head 8 from under the hook 4, the device 1 slides along the pole 64 of the flag 63 to fall back into the hole 61, so as to be usable again by another golfer.

The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objects which it has set out, and in particular by proposing a device for recovering a golf ball intended to be inserted into a golf hole, the device comprising a baseplate intended to rest in the hole and a handling member arranged to be able to be lifted by the head of a golfer's club. It is thus understood that a ball falling into the hole comes to rest on the baseplate. The golfer can then lift the handling member to raise the baseplate out of the hole and thus remove the golf ball from the hole. All of these operations are carried out without contact between the golfer's hand and the ball or the flag, thus limiting the golfer's risk of infection.

In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically operative combination of these means. In particular, provision may be made for other types of handling members than that which has been described, and in particular a handling member of the hook, rod or flat iron type, welded to the rod. It is also possible to provide other rod profiles than a straight rod. It is also possible to envisage other embodiments of the baseplate than the one described, and in particular a baseplate in the form of a dome or in the form of a cone.

While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority. 

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A device for recovering a golf ball from a golf hole, the device comprising: a baseplate extending substantially horizontally and configured to rest in the hole; a rod extending substantially vertically from the baseplate; and a handling member arranged on the rod so that the handling member may be lifted by a head of a golfer's club.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the handling member comprises a hook extending from the rod.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the rod is connected by its lower end to the baseplate and wherein an upper end of the rod is curved to form said hook.
 12. The device according to claim 9, the device comprising at least one guide member for the device on a flag inserted in the hole.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the device comprises a ring mounted on the rod, the ring forming a first guide member.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein an opening is formed in the baseplate, the opening forming a second guide member.
 15. The device according to claim 9, wherein the baseplate has an inclined vertical profile.
 16. The device according to claim 9, wherein the baseplate comprises two contiguous half-discs, extending on either side of the rod at an angle therebetween of less than 180°.
 17. The device according to claim 9, wherein the baseplate, the rod and the handling member are made of galvanized steel. 